I Belong To This City
Call this the post-pandemic, long-term, side-effect. I also like listening to Glenn Frey’s “You Belong to The City”.
Imagine being stuck at home, unable to go out as much as you want to — without worrying about some deadly virus you might catch. It’s a funny term, though, since it’s more of the virus catching everybody. No one wants to catch any viruses — accidentally or on purpose as if you’re some sort of a lab rat on a test!)
Oh, wait. Were you there too? Okay, good. Then I’m sure you can understand the reason more people have been into ‘revenge traveling’ after some time in 2021–2022.
It’s not only that, though. I’ve received the same curious question from many people — even random ones already:
“You live in the south, but work in the north? Wow! That is freaking far. How can you put up with that? Why not move closer to work or get another job closer to home?”
If you’ve never been to Indonesia and interacted with some of the locals here, be ready when you decide to visit. Some random people love making small talk with you, all in the name of courtesy and being friendly … and sometimes curiosity. Nothing else.
Honestly, I only give them long answers/explanations when I am in the mood. My usual short answers may vary, though.
“It’s better to have a job than no job at all.”
“Too lazy to move.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Sorry for sounding rude with these super short responses to that question. You can’t blame me for feeling bored, even if the question is asked by different people. Believe me when I say it can get exhausting sometimes. Most of them ask for the sake of courtesy or curiosity. It’s not like they’re going to give me a solution to what they perceive as a problem.
Alright, I admit that I’m not a big fan of small talk. No wonder some people say I’m not a normal Indonesian woman. (Whatever the hell that means. Stereotyping is stupid, by the way.)
On The Road:
I used to despise traffic in Jakarta, but now I kind of escape from reality by being in it temporarily. Sounds strange to you? I know, right? That’s just because I don’t drive a car or ride a motorcycle.
I take public transportation, like buses and trains. I’m glad the public transportation system in Jakarta is already so much better than it was a decade ago or so. They also take sexual harassment reports more seriously.
I rarely take regular taxis or digital ride-shares. They’re expensive, especially during heavy traffic. I only need them in case of an emergency.
I suppose it’s almost a writer’s thing to let your mind wander or observe your surroundings, even in public too. I do that as well on public transport. I scan people’s faces and sometimes wonder what they might be thinking at that time.
If you happen to be one of them and catch me looking at you — even for a moment — then I am sorry if you find me creepy. I promise I have no ill intentions. I can’t put hexes on people.
I also feel I can sort of blend in with the crowd on the road for a while. Among them, I can be nobody and forget all my problems.
Of course, as usual, those feelings are gone … once I reach my destination …
Bibi
